Rotary switch assembly



Nov. 8, 1938. w. TRAUTNER 2,135,958

ROTARY-SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 29, 193'? s Sheets-Sheet 1 uvmvron 47 WAGN TRAUTNER.

NOV. 8, 1938. w TRAUTNER 2,135,958

' ROTARY SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 29, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IKVENTOR WA GN TRA U TNER.

flA leizdf I A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 8, 1938. w TRAUTNER 2,135,958

ROTARY SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 29, 1957 :5 Sheets SheeL 3- IN VENTOR. WAGN TRAUTNER.

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ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE noraay'swrrcn ASSEMBLY I Warn 'h'autner, Sprlngdale, Ohio, assignor to E. H. Kneffer, Oakland, Calif.

My invention relates to rotary switches, and more particularly to that type of friction driven e'iscimzcd and claimed in the Clarence 13. Howard Patent No. 2,103,287, patented December 28, 1.933, for a "Double circuit rotary switch,

Among the objects of my invention are: to providea rotary switch which is easily and quickly assembled; to provide a rotary switch which is virtually weatherproof; to provide a rotary switch having the minimum number of parts; to provide a rotary switch that can be manufactured and assembled cheaply; to provide a rotary switch which may be assembled and permanently locked in assembled position; and to provide a rotary M switch that is sufficiently rugged and weatherproof to withstand use on a portion of a vehicle subjected to mud and water.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the descripm tion forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of the invention herein described, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of the claims.

In the Howard application cited above, the in- 25, ventor has described and claimed a rotary switch for use in conjunction with a vehicle signalling system, and in order that the rotary switch be operated in synchronism with the steering gear of an automobile, fittings are provided whereby the so switch may be fastened to the quadrant nut, as

described and claimed by the same Howard in another application entitled Vehicle signaling system, rial No. 135,921, filed April 9, 1937.

When fastened to the quadrant nut of the Va 5 hicle steering gear the switch is usually immediately back of the left front wheel, and in that position is subjected to a continuous throw of mud and water as the wheel rotates in wet weather. Furthermore, it is in a position beneath the front 49 fender, which is seldom cleaned, and when such cleaning does take place, it is usually subjected to a stream of water from a high pressure hose. It is therefore extremely important that the castug of the switch be virtually water and mud tight, and remain so during the useful life of the switch.

Furthermore, it is only the rotating actuating shaft of the switch which is attached to the quadrant nut, and it is necessary, to obtain chiso cient operation of the device, to stabilize the cas i :5. ii have therefore provided aswitch assembly .JZBIQS the switch completely weathernd which, at the same time, provides a.

by which the case may be stabilized and 'ireveuted from rotating during the time the switch shaft itself is rotated by action of the steering gear.

Accordingly, I have seen fit to describe my invention as applied to one preferred form of switch assembly, shown in the drawings, wherein 5 Fig. 1 is a side view of the completed switch.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch casing on the side away-from the steering gear connection.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the switch casing, combined with a sectional view of the quadrant nut adapter.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the quadrant nut adapter, as indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the completed switch after the casing has been applied.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken at right angles to the view of Fig. 5, looking down from above.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, taken as indicated by the line 1-1 in '20 Fig. 6, and in the plane of elements 4|.

Fig. 8 is a view partly in section, taken as indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a view taken from the same location as Fig. 8, showing the alternate position of the friction driven disc.

Fig. 10 is a view looking down upon the switch assembly, as applied to a vehicle.

For the detailed description of the preferred form illustrated, I will refer first to Figs. 5 and 6.

A switch shaft l is provided with a knurled portion 2 on which is moulded a slip ring disc 4 of insulating material. As an insert moulded therein is a peripheral ring 5, extended along one face of disc 4 to form a flat brush surface 6. Thus the shaft I, the slip ring disc 4, the peripheral ring 5 and the brush 6 become an integral unit for assembly purposes.

Beyond the knurled portion 2 is a contact disc bearing surface "I, a slightly smaller washer bear- 0 ing surface 9, and an end bearing surface i0. Shaft l terminates in a half round boss H, the purpose of which will be described later.

Utilizing the unitary shaft and disc as a basis, the switch may be assembled by slipping over the large end of shaft i a disc shaped inner casing wall l2 of insulating material having a central metallic bearing l4. On the opposite side of disc 4, and bearing against shaft surface 1, is positioned a contact rotor l5. free to rotate upon bearing surface 1 of shaft I, and is provided with two opposite circular brush bearing surfaces 16 and I1, preferably on the periphery of the rotor.

The rotor I5 is also preferably moulded from 55 This rotor is insulating material, and has inserted therein a pair of metallic inserts comprising peripheral contacts I9 and 20 prolonged to form double brushes 2| and 22 extending from the face of the rotor adjacent the disc 4, the ends of the brushes 2| and 22 contacting brush surface 6 on disc 4. The rotor I5 is also provided immediately adjacent each brush surface l6 and H with stop ears 24 and 25.

Brushes 2| and 22 are bent outwardly and are made of resilient material, so that when a washer 28 is assembled to rotate freely on the washer surface 9 of shaft pressure will be exerted between rotor |5 and disc 4 by virtue of the resiliency of the brushes. After washer 28 has been placed on the shaft, front casing wall 26 is assembled on small end H! of shaft I, this front casing wall 26 being identical in all respects to rear casing wall l2, i. e., is of insulating material and with a central bearing 21.

Three brush pins are provided extending between the end walls 26 and accurately positioning them, namely, lateral brush pins 28 and 30 and common brush pin 3|. U-shaped brushes 32 are positioned on each pin, and each one comprises a U-shaped body fitting the pin at each end, the base of the U-shaped body being bumped up into brush contacts 34. All three brushes are prevented from rotating on the pins by lugs 35 at each end of the base of the U thereof entering recesses in each end wall.

The brushes mounted on lateral pins 29 and 30 are so positioned that he brush contacts 34 press against the peripheral brush surfaces l6 and H on the rotor, whereas the brush mounted on common pin 3| is reversed and contacts the peripheral ring 5 on the disc 4. Each of the brushes terminates on one side of the case in connection screws 36 to which circuit wires may be connected.

The outer casing is made in two halves, an upper half 3'! and a lower half 39. Each of these halves is provided with peripheral grooves 40 fitting the end walls I2 and 26, and with laterally extending portions 4|. I prefer to make the circular portions of these parts very slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the end walls, so that the two halves may be forced together under pressure applied to the laterally extending portions and thereafter locked together as, for example, by riveting one half into the other on the laterally extending portions, as indicated by circles 42 thereon. Spot welding is, of course, a full equivalent. The pressure applied causes the casing halvesto grip the end walls and make a weather tight seal thereto. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by brushes 22 causes disc 4 to be forced tightly against bearing M in one wall, and washer 28 to be forced tightly against the other end wall, thus sealing the end bearings.

After the switch has been assembled, an adapter 45, fitting the quadrant nut on a steering gear 46 attached to the frame 41 of a vehicle is applied, and is attached to the shaft l and locked thereto by shaft screw 48. The switch body, comprising upper and lower halves 31 and 39, together with the end walls l2 and 26, is prevented from rotating and is supported by case fittings 49, preferably extending from frame 41 of the vehicle and entering the apertures 42 developed by riveting.

The operation of the switch is simple. When the steering gear is turned in one direction, disc 4 will rotate in one direction and the friction 2,1as,esa

developed by disc 4 against brushes 2| and 22 will rotate rotor I! in the same direction as disc 4, until lug 24, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, contacts brush 32. The rotor will then stop rotating, although disc 4 will keep on rotating.

Inasmuch as brush segments |9 and 20 are in the center of brush surfaces I6 and I1 respectively, when the rotor is in the position just above described brush contact 34 will not make electrical connection to brush segment I9, whereas on the other side of the rotor, brush segment 20 will be brought into electrical contact with brush contact 34. Electrical connection will be established through brush 22 to brush surface 6 on the disc 4, and thence to common brush 32 through the peripheral ring 4.

When the direction of rotation of the steering gear is reversed, as shown in Fig. 9, the opposite condition will obtain. The circuit that was formerly closed will open, and the opposite circuit will close. Thus, an electrical circuit is established through the switch upon each reversal of rotation of the main shaft I, or when applied to a vehicle steering gear 46.

In some instances, however, it is advisable to prevent any circuit through the switch when the vehicle steering gear is in straight-ahead position, and for that reason an insulating segment 50 is provided in the slip ring 4, so that when the brush contact attached to the common pin 3| bears on this insulating segment, no current can be established through the switch. In attaching the switch to the steering gear, it is obvious that quadrant nuts may be in various positions of rotation thereon, and it is therefore desirable that the brush contact attached to the common pin 3| be on the insulating segment 50 without necessitating opening the case. This condition may be readily obtained by loosening shaft set screw 48 and turning the switch from the outer end by the use of a tool applied to the half round end ll of shaft until the circuits are both broken. Set screw 46 may then be tightened up, with the assurance that the switch is properly adjusted for the condition of the steering gear.

Another point should be brought out, and that is that while in many instances the friction fit of the two halves 31 and 39 of the casing may be sufficiently strong to prevent rotation of the end walls within the casing, there may be instances in relatively heavy duty installations, such as that on heavy trucks, where the torque within the switch, due to heavy duty contacts, may be sufficient to rotate the end walls within the case. While this possibility is remote, I prefer to prevent it, and do so by preventing the end walls from rotating on the assembled casing by providing a casing groove 5| on the outside of each wall, and where the two casing halves join I extend end wall material into grooves 5| at the points where the two halves join, thereby forming lugs 54 contacting both halves. Thus, when the casing is locked on, these lugs prevent any rotation of the casing on the end walls. Furthermore, I do not depend on pins 29, 30 and 3| with screws 36 to hold the case together and therefore if screws 36 should become loose the case will hold the switch together.

I have therefore provided a switch of heavy duty construction and one which is completely weatherproof and adapted to be utilized on steering gears in locations exposed to large quantities of mud and water, and have also provided a switch that is easy to assemble and which has a 7 minimum of parts andno delicate adjustments whatsoever.

I claim:

1. A rotary switch assembly comprising a shaft, make and break means mounted on said shaft and actuated thereby, circular end walls bearing on said shaft, means for fixing the minimum distance only between said end walls, resilient means urging said end walls apart, a pair of semi-cylindrical covers having lateral extensions thereon, peripheral recesses in said covers and fitting the peripheries of said end walls, said recesses determining the final desired spacing of said end walls,

and means for locking said covers together around v said end walls to form a complete case.

2. A rotary switch assembly comprising a shaft, make and break means mounted on said shaft and actuated thereby, circular end walls bearing on said shaft, means for "fixing the minimum distance only between said end walls, resilient means urging said end walls apart, a pair of semi-cylindrical covers havinglateral extensions thereon, peripheral recesses in said covers and fitting the peripheries of said end walls, said recesses determining the desired spacing of said end walls, and means for locking adjacent extensions together after said covers are applied around sai end walls to form a complete case.

3. A rotary switch assembly comprising a shaft, make and break means mounted on said shaft and actuated thereby, circular end walls bearing on said shaft, means for fixing the minimum distance only between a said end walls, resilient means urging said end walls apart, a pair oi. semi cylindrical covers having lateral extensions thereon, peripheral recesses in said covers and fitting the, peripheries of said end walls, said recesses determining the desired spacing of said end walls, means for locking adjacent extensions together after said covers are applied around said end walls to form a complete case, and means interlockin'g said covers andsaid end walls to prevent relative rotation.

4. A rotary. switch assembly comprising a shaft,

' make and break means mounted on said shaft and actuated thereby, circular end walls bearing on said shaft, means for fixing the minimum distance only between said end walls, resilient means urging said end walls apart, a pair of semi-cylindrical covers having lateral extensions thereon, peripheral recesses in said covers and fitting the peripheries of said end walls, said recesses determining the desired spacing oi said end walls, means .for locking said covers together around said end walls to *form a complete case,

ands-houldermeansoneachotsaidendwalls cooperating with both of said covers to prevent relative rotation oi said end walls with respect to the completed cover.

5. A rotary switch comprising a shaft, spaced circular end walls bearing on said shaft, a pin.- rality of spacing pins extending between said end walls and having shoulders thereon bearing against said end walls and determining the minimum distance only between said end walls, a pair of make and break means mounted on said shaft between said end walls, resilient means between said make and break means and urging said make and break means apart against said side walls thus tending to increase said minimum distance, a cover engaging the periphery of both of said end walls and closing the space between, said cover having spacing means thereon. cooperating with said end walls to maintain said end walls at said minimum distance irrespective of the urge of said resilient means, and means for interlocking said cover 'and said end walls. i

6. A rotary switch comprising a shaft, spaced circular end walls bearing on said shaft, a plurality of spacing pins extending between said end walls and having shoulders thereon bearing against said end walls and determining theminimum distance only between said end walls, a pair of make and break means mounted on said shaft between said end walls, resilient means beside walls thus tending to increase said minimum distance, a pair of semi-cylindrical covers having lateral extensions thereon, peripheral grooves in said covers fitting the peripheries of said end walls, said grooves determining the spacing of said end walls substantially at said minimum distance, and means for interlocking said covers together thereby finally spacing said end walls against the urge of said resilient means.

7, Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein stationary contact brushes are mounted on a plurality of said spacing pins in a position to cooperate with each of said make and break means.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein stationary contactbrushes are mounted on a plurality of said spacing pins in a position to cooperate with each of said make and break means, each oi said brushes having a portion clamped between a shoulder on the spacing pin carrying said brush and having another portion entering a recess in the end wall adjacent the clamped portion to prevent said brush from turning,

WAGN 'IRAUTNER. 

